Now it looked like we were in a meeting, and they didn’t look too happy about it.
Leon shoved a hand through his soft, brown hair. HIs mouth opened and closed but eventually he just gave up.
“Why don’t we start with the elephant in the room?” Ronan said, glancing from me to Nikolai, then back to the bite mark marring my skin.
“What, the fact that I rutted my mate and claimed her? I have every right to do that, and she didn’t protest.”
“Did you give her a chance to protest?” Ronan argued.
That wasn’t exactly where I thought they’d start. But Nik was right, I didn’t protest. It felt wrong to admit, like maybe Ishouldhave fought harder.
Yet, despite the chaos in my head, I didn’t regret it.
“I didn’t protest,” I said quietly. “I think my mind was a little too broken for that.”
“That’s not a glowing review for a consensual mating,” Leon said, glaring at Nikolai.
“Stop,” I groaned. “I just said I wanted it and fighting between ourselves is not going to solve anything.”
“No, but it might make me feel better,” Leon growled, more to himself than us.
I’ve never seen my beta be anything but agreeable, so this was throwing me off.
“So, he claimed you. I’m assuming he explained that we’re a pack?” Ronan said.
“Yes,” I admitted. “Fuck. This is insanely awkward, and I hate it. I need, like… food in front of me or something.”
“How about we go out to dinner tonight?” Ronan suggested. “We can take the day to just relax, then tonight go on a packdate. We can get to know each other and leave all the animosity behind.”
His words had me taking a closer look at the pack. They all had exhaustion written all over their faces and dark circles underlined their bloodshot eyes.
“That sounds good,” I agreed. “I’m not against this pack. I know how much your scents affect me. It’s just been a bit of a mindfuck and I need to process it.”
“Well, we can get out of your hair. We’re going to need to check in on the Crows and buy a few things, maybe nap,” Ronan agreed, eyeing his two packmates.
“There’s coffee and plenty of food in town. Stores aren’t as plentiful but we make do,” I promised. “Honestly, everything you need is pretty easy to find.”
“Thanks, darling,” he said as he stood, forcing the other two to follow them. That left Leon and I sitting there, the tension still hovering in the space.
“I don’t like this,” I told him. “This awkwardness between us.”
“I’m just adjusting,” Leon promised. “We all are. As much as Ronan makes me want to hit a wall, they seem like decent guys. I’m willing to give them a chance as long as they treat you well and you are happy.”
“He was the only bright light in my life growing up. I spent most of that part of my life being beaten by my mother, both verbally and physically. If it wasn’t for him, I would’ve died. And it’s not that I feel like I owe him something… it’s just that my omega knows him. It was terrifying having that ripped away.”
“I’m sure it was,” he agreed, moving closer and pulling me into his lap, holding me as I sorted out my head.
“I don’t regret him finding me. I’m excited to see where this goes, I’m just scared of losing you and messing this up. We’re different people. What if we don’t fit together now?”
He let out a soft chuckle. “From what I’ve seen, you fit together just fine. You’ll just have to get to know them.”
“I know, but my omega doesn’t agree. She wants to go all in, to accept and claim them and forge a pack. Like being surrounded by mates will keep us safe from the rest of the world.”
“I can confidently say we all want you safe.”
I let that sink into my bones. Knowing he saw the connection and also my insecurities, helped to lift some of the burden that had rested on my shoulders.
“How are you feeling about us after this?” I needed to know if I messed anything up before going on.
